I have a mountaineer niece who loves the arts, pomeranians, nature untouched, baking, music, theater, volunteerism, and numerous others I know not what. We fondly call her OYE. God-fearing and positive in outlook, she is always fun and joy to be with. You wouldn’t perceive that behind the happiness she exudes when with you, there are health and physical challenges she is facing / had in fact already faced — and mind you, head-on! A brave soul indeed!!
I feel proud and always so happy for her whenever I hear that she would be climbing mountains either with her family or pal hikers for that’s something I can only dream of. Actually, when I see photos of mountaineers in general, I can’t help but imagine the adventure of trekking towards the unknown and having to face the elements of nature — sometimes great, sometimes harsh. Timing must be a great consideration. For them, endurance, determination and the will to triumph in order to reach the target goal are musts. I quietly rejoice whenever she successfully does that as that would mean, for sure, an invisible trophy of personal triumph.
I have asked for her favorite photos taken in some of the many mountains she had hiked. And I just love those that give surreal feeling and shots that wowed me, like the photo taken at Mt. Pulag in Benguet, Luzon’s highest peak at 2,926 metres (9,600 ft) above sea level, but the third highest in the Philippines; and the amazing shot of her sitting — Grabe!!! kakalula!! How did you do that? — on the edge of Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines.
With the clouds seemingly within an arm’s reach at Mt. Pulag, Philippines
At Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines. Why did you have to sit on the mountain edge? Kakatakot!!!
The triumphant look, no less!!! And for me? the triumphant feeling of conquering fear, if I were the one who was standing there. Haha! Wish ko lang!
In Nepal at Mt. Everest Base Camp upon reaching the altitude of 17,600 ft. praising the Lord!
The ascent via the southeast ridge begins with a trek to Base Camp at 5,380 m (17,600 ft) on the south side of Everest in Nepal. Expedition members usually fly into Lukla (2,860 m) from Kathmandu and pass through Namche Bazaar. (Source: Wikipedia) Who would have thought that someone in the family would one day be able to go up the mountain we only used to read about as the highest on earth? Nadie!
Though I am someone who fears sliding down hillsides, it excites and thrills me no end to think that if I were to escape the city jungle like those mountaineers, I would be able to wallow in the beauty of natural landscapes, be awed by different mountain forms, shapes and colors, perhaps even perceive beyond what they actually are; trek and walk past river streams, breathlessly gasps in seeing the variety of floras, anxious in encountering not-so-familiar faunas perhaps while passing through forest trees, seeing beauty even in treeless mountain parts, and in wondering at mounds of all sorts, etc. New sights and experiences in every trip!!! OYes!! Photos of Oye’s adventures that she shares are for me enough to enjoy as much in being with Mother Nature…
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Up the mountain summit, I imagine the touch of the gentle breeze; hear the whistling winds; wonder at the vastness and beauty of Nature; feeling God and glorifying His greatness. For feeling tiny against the greatness of His creations makes God’s presence even more real just as when I was once traveling by sea at the midst of which I could see no horizon line that divides the land and the sea. During those moments, I drowned in feeling like a speck of sand and at one’s nothingness; at the same time, how great God is.
Oye rests awhile at Mt. Buntis in Maragondon, Cavite
Anyway, in between mountain climbing, Oye finds time on the ground to do volunteer work with the Library Hub Philippines, whose advocacy is to introduce interest in reading, update educational resources of children, and build libraries for members of the marginalized communities. To reach a Dumagat community in Tanay, Rizal, which is not that remote from Manila but not easily accessible, the group consisting of nine members including Oye went to Nayon Sta. Ines armed with books to read for the Dumagat children. As there were no straight paths leading to the place, they had to cross 12 rivers.
As Library Hub Philippines’ volunteer, animated Oye interacts with the Dumagat children as she reads stories for them.
Look at the attentiveness of the children, and the joy of innocence on the boy’s face!
Eirene “OYE” Bautista (3rd from right, front row) and the other volunteers of the Library Hub Philippines with members of the Dumagat tribe residing in Nayon Sta. Ines, Tanay, Rizal led by its Chieftain Tatang Amang Lope
Only last year in 2018 that two individuals formed a volunteer organization called the Library Hub* Philippines “to help, serve, and make a difference.” One of the founders is Oliver Pe, a mountain hiker like Oye. Believing in their advocacy, Oye joined their initiative and volunteered to share her time to help in advancing their mission that will benefit children from the marginalized sectors. It was getting exposed to the needs of communities inaccessible to services that they should be receiving from the government, that the library hub was formed.
According to the Library Hub Philippines: “Our cause aims to tackle the inequalities borne out of conflict, misrepresentation, discrimination, calamities, and the disparity of the social conditions in the nation. By engaging and building relationships with these communities, in a deliberate manner, we try to address their specific needs and dreams by giving the youth access to equalizing and updated educational resources. By re-/constructing these Library Hubs we are creating safe spaces and incubating environments that fosters the spirit of community.
Library Hub Movers
Our advocacy also deals with human capital. We have realized the power of the individual to make a difference. Every peso, every book, every second of service through volunteering, and every talent offered can be made to a good use. Our advocacy has led us to connect with a diverse representation of society all sharing the commonality of wishing to help, serve, and make a difference.”
Weligama, Sri Lanka
Rovinj, Croatia, Yugoslavia
Cochin/Kochi, Kerala, South India
Bencota, Sri Lanka
Nepal
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Queenstown, New Zealand
Luoyang, China
Myanmar (Burma)
Loikaw, Myanmar (Burma)
India
Afghanistan
Pagan, Myanmar (Burma)
Katmandu, Nepal
Kashmir
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Kampala, Uganda
Kashmir 
Yemen 
Afghanistan 
Kashmir 
Yemen 
Baluchistan, Pakistan 
Afghanistan 
Kabul, Afghanistan 
Philippines 
Pokhara, Nepal 
Lambari, Brazil 
Madhya Pradesh, India 
Dubrovnik, Croatia 
West Bengal, India 
Kabul, Afghanistan 
Indonesia 
China 
Angkor, Cambodia 
Rajasthan, India 
Bangladesh 
Morocco 
Mali, Africa 
Kabul, Afghanistan 
Cuba 
Advocacine's Blog 